Also known as the African sorghum stem borer
Busseolafusca
Damage to plants
- Foliage consumption, particularly in the whorl.
- Destruction of the growing point in the whorl, causing a symptom known as "deadheart"
- Extensive feeding on tassels, ears, and stems.
Signs
- Young larvae feed on foliar tissue in the whorl, leading to perforations and 'window pane' damage in unfolding leaves.
- Older larvae burrow into the stem, which can result in crop lodging.
- Holes in the stem, which are used by adult moths to emerge.
- Dead heart.
Factors favoring pest development
- Young maize crops (plants less than two months old) are attractive for oviposit.
- Zero-till agriculture.
Geographical distribution
- Found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, generally above 500 masl. However, the species can live in altitudes ranging from sea level to above 2000m.